The Customs Higher Council issued Decision No. 9/2026 dated February 13, 2026 about exempting new imported electric cars, vehicles, and machinery from customs duty and the internal consumption tax. Article 1 grants a full exemption from customs duties and from the internal consumption tax, in accordance with the Customs Tariff of the Harmonized System, for all new cars, vehicles, and machinery, such as electric bicycles and scooters, which operate exclusively on electricity (Full Electric). Article 2 mandates the imported vehicles to be processed through the Mandatory Red Track and to undergo a detailed technical inspection. Article 3 stipulates that this decision is valid for a five years period ending on February 9, 2031 inclusive, and that it went into effect on February 10, 2026, the date of the publication of Budget Law No. 40/2026 in the Official Gazette.  Also, the Customs Higher Council issued No. 10/2026 dated February 13, 2026 about exempting all new imported hybrid cars, including mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, among others, from 80% of the customs duty and internal consumption tax. Article 1 grants an exemption of 80% from customs duty and the internal consumption tax on all types of imported new hybrid cars hybrid types, including mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. It mandates that the imported vehicle be processed through the Mandatory Red Track and to undergo a detailed technical inspection to determine the type of cars. It requires importers to attach to the customs documentation certificates issued by the manufacturing company that detail the technical characteristics of the imported vehicles. Article 2 stipulates that this decision is valid for a five years period ending on February 9, 2031 inclusive, and that it went into effect on February 10, 2026, the date of publication of Budget Law No. 40/2026 in the Official Gazette.  In parallel, the government started providing incentives for buyers of eco-friendly cars as part of the 2018 Budget Law. The law stipulated that customs and excise taxes on hybrid cars would be reduced to 20%, while electric vehicles would be completely exempt from customs and excise taxes. A hybrid vehicle typically operates on an internal combustion engine as well as on an electric motor, while an electric vehicle runs on one or more electric or traction motors. Previously, imported electric vehicles and hybrid cars whose price exceeded LBP20bn were subject to customs and excise taxes of 50%, while vehicles with a price below LBP20bn were subject to customs and excise duties of 20%. In addition, the law stipulated that customs and excise taxes on hybrid vehicles for public use, such as hybrid taxis, would be reduced to 10%, while electric vehicles for public use would be fully exempt from customs and excise taxes. It added that public hybrid cars and electric vehicles would be exempt from registration fees, as well as mécanique fees when registered for the first time. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Byblos Bank, LTW, 16-21 Feb. 2026